Overview
As a Singapore citizen by descent or registration, you are issued a citizenship certificate as an official document indicating the date you acquired your citizenship.
You can replace a lost or damaged certificate in person by filling in a written form(PDF, 140KB) available at the counter.
Eligibility
You only apply for a replacement certificate if your original is lost or damaged. You cannot apply for a replacement to keep as a spare copy.
- You cannot hold more than one citizenship certificate at a time. Upon issuance of a replacement certificate, any previously issued certificate is no longer valid and must be returned to ICA if found.
Documents Required
You will need the following documents ready before you apply:
- Your Identity Card (NRIC)
- Your birth certificate (the original document and a photocopy) and passport (if replacement is for a child who has not been issued with an NRIC)
- Your recent passport-sized, colour photograph taken within the last three months. Please see Photo Guidelines for information on photo requirements.
- Application form (available over the counter)
You will need to provide original documents and official translations (for documents in languages other than English), as well as copies of the documents for ICA to retain.
ICA accepts:
- Translations provided by the embassy of the country/place that issued the document
- Translations produced by a notary public in Singapore or the country/place that issued the document
- Privately created translations attested by the embassy of the country/place that issued the document, or notarised by a notary public in Singapore or the country/place that issued the document
ICA does not endorse any private translation companies or entities. Insufficient documentation may result in non-acceptance of your application. You may be required to provide additional documents to support your application.
Procedure
You must submit your application and collect your replacement certificate in person. Minors must be accompanied by a parent or guardian when applying for and collecting a replacement certificate.
Application/Collection in Singapore
Submit your documents/collect your replacement certificate at the ICA Services Centre
ICA Services Centre
2 Crawford Street
Singapore 207218
Operating hours: 8.00 am to 4.30 pm, Monday to Friday. (Closed on Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays).
Peak times: Please expect longer-than-average waiting times on Mondays, Fridays, and the day before or after a public holiday.
Application/Collection in Overseas
Fees
You must pay a S$20 non-refundable fee.
You can pay over the counter using any of the following:
- NETS or NETS FlashPay
- Visa or MasterCard credit/debit card
- Apple Pay/Google Pay/Samsung Pay/DBS PayLah/OCBC Pay Anyone/UOB Mighty
Processing Time
Your replacement certificate will be ready for collection within 2 weeks of your request.
If you applied overseas, the 2-week processing time begins from the date ICA receives your documents from the Singapore Overseas Mission.
Replacement Certificate Collection
You may walk in to the ICA Services Centre to collect your certificate 2 weeks after submitting your application.
If you applied through a Singapore Overseas Mission, you may collect it from that mission 2 weeks after your application.
FAQs
You should only do so when you receive ICA’s letter informing you that you have reached the final stage of the application process. The letter states that applicants 21 years old and above on the date of their appointment with ICA are required to renounce their foreign citizenship(s) before the appointment.
Applicants who applied as a family unit will be granted Singapore citizenship together. The renunciation process varies, hence you are advised to find out details on process and duration from your respective foreign embassy in Singapore.
Do note also that your foreign passport might be cancelled by your embassy upon renunciation, therefore make your travel plans in advance. Do not renounce your foreign citizenship if any of your family members in the application are unable to fulfil the renunciation requirements specified by the foreign embassy.
Browse All Related FAQs
Browse topics, questions and answers in AskGov portal for ICA